Hermon youth qualifies for three events at USATF National Championships

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Hermon Middle School’s James Petersen qualified for three sprint races in the Midget Boys level at the USATF Youth Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Thursday and Friday.

Petersen, 11, ran qualifying heats for the 100 and 400 meter races Friday. He had a time of 13.52 seconds to place sixth overall of 20 participants in the 100. In the 400, he ran a time of 1:01.47, taking the eighth and final slot for the final out of 29 racers.

Petersen will compete in the 200 finals Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The finals for the 100 and 400 are on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., respectively.

Petersen wasn’t the only area athlete competing as Holden’s Seraphina Provenzano attempted to qualify for two races.

Provenzano placed 19th of 23 racers in the Girls Youth (ages 13-14) 1,500 meter event Friday with a time of 5:31.30. She was also 14th of 22 participants in the 800 on Thursday with a time of 2:34.68. She didn’t qualify for the finals for either event.